Gamma‐glutamyl‐transferase may predict COVID‐19 outcomes in hospitalised patients

Abstract

Aim In this study, we aimed to define the predictive role of liver function tests at admission to the hospital in outcomes of hospitalised patients with COVID‐19. Material and Method In this multicentric retrospective study, a total of 269 adult patients (≥18 years of age) with confirmed COVID‐19 who were hospitalised for the treatment were enrolled. Demographic features, complete medical history and laboratory findings of the study participants at admission were obtained from the medical records. Patients were grouped regarding their intensive care unit (ICU) requirements during their hospitalisation periods. Results Among all 269 participants, 106 were hospitalised in the ICU and 66 died. The patients hospitalised in ICU were older than patients hospitalised in wards ( P = .001) and expired patients were older than alive patients ( P = .001). Age, elevated serum D‐dimer, creatinine and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels at admission were independent factors predicting ICU hospitalisation and mortality in COVID‐19 patients. Conclusion In conclusion, in hospitalised patients with COVID‐19, laboratory data on admission, including serum, creatinine, GGT and d‐dimer levels have an important predictive role for the ICU requirement and mortality. Since these tests are readily available in all hospitals and inexpensive, some predictive formulas may be calculated with these parameters at admission, to define the patients requiring intensive care.

High Levels of NfL, GFAP, TAU, and UCH-L1 as Potential Predictor Biomarkers of Severity and Lethality in Acute COVID-19

“…D-Dimer Peak has been previously described as an important potential early biomarker in COVID-19, mainly when related to coagulation disorders and liver function [ 41 , 42 ]; the same was observed for C-Reactive Protein [ 43 – 45 ], which was also early increased even before disease progression to severe COVID-19. GGT and D-Dimer have also been described, together increased early in severe COVID-19 cases, and other authors suggest the importance of considering them for decision-making right at admission to hospital once these results can be reached in a short period of time [ 46 , 47 ]. When analyzed alone, both GGT and D-Dimer early increase was related to prolonged hospital stay, severity, and/or fatality [ 48 , 49 ].…”

Liver Function Tests in COVID-19: Assessment of the Actual Prognostic Value

“…Shao et al reported that elevated GGT and CRP levels were associated with a longer hospital stay [ 47 ]. Kasapoglu and colleagues determined that elevated serum GGT levels, but not aminotransferases, at admission were associated with the increased risk of ICU admission and mortality [ 48 ], while Weber et al claimed that AST, ALT, GGT and albumin correlated strongly with COVID-19-related death [ 24 ]. Our results show that, despite the fact that elevated GGT is frequently observed at baseline, it is not the best predictor for COVID-19 severity.…”

Lipase elevation on admission predicts worse clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19

“…Hence, AST and ALT activity were not included in the statistical analyses conducted using the multiple logistic regression model. In another study including 269 COVID-19 patients, GGT was reported as one of the independent factors predicting ICU admission and mortality [ 30 ]. In comparison, in this study, GGT values in the group with high lipase activity were significantly higher than in the group with normal lipase activity; however, GGT was not one of the independent factors that was determined to predict mortality successfully in this patient population.…”